Make a batch of this crazy good shawarma spice mix, and it will become your go-to blend for everything, from veggies to your favorite protein. Trust us! Try it, and you will thank us later!
What is Shawarma?
Shawarma is a traditional Middle Eastern street food that has been gaining popularity all over the world over the years. It's a heavily spiced and marinated piece of beef, lamb, chicken or turkey placed on a rotation rotisserie stick, that continuously cooks the meat as the outer layers are shaved off, and usually served in a fluffy, pillowy pita bread pocket. As with any street food, no silverware is required!
What to Serve With the Food You Spice with Shawarma Spice Blend
We like to prepare a vegan version using our shawarma seasoning with jackfruit, seitan, mushrooms, or chickpeas and serve it with:
- This 5 Minute Hummus or to be out of the box with this beet hummus
- Tabbouleh
- Tahini Sauce
- Tomato and Cucumber Salad
- Pickles
What makes this dish so good and almost irresistible, is the wonderful spice mix used to prepare it. The combination of warm spices infuses the meat, vegetables, seitan, chickpeas, mushrooms, or jackfruit with tons of flavor and keeps you wanting to go back for more!
How To Make The Best Shawarma Spice Mix Video
What spices are in our crazy good Shawarma spice mix?
- sweet paprika
- allspice
- cumin
- turmeric
- cinnamon
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- ground ginger
- Aleppo pepper or hot pepper flakes (optional for heat)
The best thing about this Shawarma spice mix is that it works beautifully with any protein and even vegetables! We love it on tofu, for our vegan Tacos Al Pastor, portabello mushrooms for our Shawarma Veggie Tacos with Tahini Guacamole and cauliflower ( leave us a comment if you would like to see a shawarma cauliflower sandwich recipe!)
How to Store Our Shawarma Spice Blend
Store the shawarma seasoning in a glass jar fitted with a tight lid and place it in your spice cabinet or drawer. Use within 6-9 months, if it lasts that long...
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Shawarma Spice Mix
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: ⅓ cup 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Make a batch of this crazy good shawarma spice mix, and it will become your go-to blend for everything, from veggies to your favorite protein. Trust us! Try it, and you will thank us later!
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp sweet paprika
- 1 tbsp allspice
- 2tsp cumin
- 2 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp Aleppo pepper or hot pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Combine all the spices in a bowl and mix well. Store in a glass jar with a tight lid
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Spices
- Method: Raw
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 teaspoon
- Calories: 11
- Sugar: .2
- Sodium: 5.8
- Fat: 0.2
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.2
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 2.8
- Fiber: 1.5
- Protein: .4
- Cholesterol: 0
Keywords: spices, mix, shawarma, ginger, spicy, cinnamon, paprika, allspice, cumin, turmeric,
Deborah Baumel says
I would love your cauliflower shawarma recipe.
★★★★★
Vanessa says
This shawarma spice mix is soooo good! And so much better that anything I find bottled in a store.
★★★★★
Sally Harris says
I want that cauli recipe too !
★★★★★
Vicky & Ruth says
Recipe Coming Soon!
Meg says
Amazing flavor! This takes my favorite chicken shawarma bowl to the next level and I can’t wait to try using it in other things. Like cauliflower. Yummy!
★★★★★
Vicky & Ruth says
Thank you so much Meg! Enjoy!
Pongodhall says
Thank you for emphasizing the vegetables + ideas for them. I would like to see a sandwich idea please, at the moment I do a shawarma hummus, etc. Board or roasted cauliflower in this particular rub.
★★★★
Vicky & Ruth says
We will work on it!
Mayra says
Please recipe for cauliflower shawarma sandwich.
Vicky & Ruth says
Great Idea! We will work on it!
Susan G says
How about using smoked paprika for 'sweet'? Would that give the food an effect like the cooking process for shawarma?
Vicky & Ruth says
You could definitely use smoked paprika or a combination of sweet and smoked. Let us know how you like it if you decide to try it.
Rebeca says
I love the combination of the spices! Really tasty
★★★★★
Vicky & Ruth says
Thank you, Enjoy!
Polly says
Hi, Once i have made the spice mix how much should of the shawarma spice mix is good for let's say 1lb of beef or chicken?
Vicky and Ruth says
It depends on how spiced you like it. 1-2 tablespoons should be enough. Enjoy!
Ron Torres says
This tasted as though I had been marinating it for hours, which I have, so glad I found this and will forever use this recipe!
★★★★★
Vicky and Ruth says
Thank you! We are so glad you liked it!
Brittany wilkins says
My Lebanese mother in law adds a secret ingredient, ORANGE JUICE! A couple splashes or so should work,it also tenderizes the meat when marinating. She is well known for her shawarma, her recipe is even used at a Arabic restaurant out here in Dearborn, Michigan.
★★★★★
Vicky and Ruth says
So interesting and cool. I would have never thought of adding orange juice to the shawarma spice mix. I will definitely try it.
ThatGuy says
Darn good Shawarma seasoning recipe.
Had a hankering for that flavor, grabbed some left over chicken the kids will never eat the leftovers of pulled it off to the bone, (took the skin too) and reached for my seasoning only to find I had nearly reached the last of it some time ago. Quick Google landed me here. It's funny every time I refill that jar I'm pretty sure it's a different recipe. Haven't come across one yet that's been anything other than delicious. Only had half the needed paprika, so threw in a tbsp of sweet ancho chili powder.
Put a pot on low heat, poured in some sesame oil, put the chicken in, ground some salt, 2 tbsp of shawarma seasoning, a sprinkle of brown sugar and mixed it up and let it soak up the flavor, mooshed it down, turned up the heat, flipping it now and then till it was all crispy on the outside. Scooped the chicken out with a slotted draining spoon and put it to the side to drain. tossed onions and sweet peppers into the now shawarma flavored sesame oil, cooked them through.
Had a bowl. Good. Got some tahini. Real Good. Put it in a wrap with cheese and hot sauce. Good. Another wrap with tzatziki and feta. Good. Is there anything Shawarma doesn't go great with? I haven't found it.
★★★★★
Robert W Easton says
My fave schwarma place is Bar Bar in Beirut, but maybe I can come close in my own kitchen with this spice mix. I don't have a giant rotiss, of course, but sheet pan sliced chicken or meat may do just as well. Veggie options too!!
★★★★★
Rita says
Love the suggested vegan choices plus the traditional options. Will definitely try it
★★★★★
Vicky and Ruth says
Thank you Rita! Let us know what you think of the Shawarma spice mix, if you do!
Phyllis W says
Excellent. Now I do not have to buy already prepared spice mixes that might be older than 6 months old. Thank you so much for this, as well as the other delicious recipes!
★★★★★
Vicky and Ruth says
Thank you So much Phyllis!
Margaret says
Delicious! I will use it on meat too!
★★★★★
Karen says
I have always wanted to make my own shawarma and you have hit the nail on the head. Kudos and Thank you!!!
★★★★★
Vicky and Ruth says
Thank you so much Karen!
Mary says
So amazingly good!
★★★★★
Vicky and Ruth says
It means so much to us that you like it! Thank you!